Kim Yong-hyun, former Minister of the Ministry of National Defense, who was arrested and indicted for allegedly leading the Dec. 3 martial law incident, said through his lawyer on the 2nd, "Patriotic comrades, please protect the president for the future of the free Republic of Korea."

According to the letter released by lawyer Lee Ha-sang that day, former Minister Kim urged this, saying, "The president is someone who thinks only about the country and the people, and public welfare 24 hours a day."

On Nov. 2, attorney Lee Ha-sang, a lawyer for former Minister of National Defense Kim Yong-hyun, holds a megaphone to his mouth while being moved by the police for unauthorized occupation of the road in front of the presidential residence in Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul. /Courtesy of Jung Doo-yong

He claimed, "While the president declared martial law, soldiers, who were subordinates following the Minister's orders, are suffering from illegal investigations," adding, "Freedom is not given for free. It is the reward for the noble 'blood' shed while fighting against the forces of 'evil' to protect freedom."

He said, "I will fight to the end to eradicate anti-state forces and clarify the aspects of fraudulent elections so that a properly established country can be passed on to future generations, where constitutional values and constitutional order are rightly set."

The letter, read by lawyer Lee on a YouTube channel, was reportedly written on the 29th of last month.

On that day, the execution of the arrest warrant for President Yoon Suk-yeol by the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) was virtually thwarted.

The CIO also did not attempt to execute the warrant for President Yoon in the afternoon at 6 p.m. It is known that they are considering the fact that President Yoon is an incumbent president and attempting the execution during working hours seems likely. Taking this into account, there is a strong possibility that the execution of the arrest warrant will not happen today.

As the news of the warrant execution attempt spread, supporters of President Yoon gathered, turning the area around the residence in Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, into chaos. Engagements with the police occurred, with some engaging in scuffles or lying down in the streets, creating a precarious situation. There were also conflicts with those urging for President Yoon's resignation.

Some expect the CIO to execute the arrest warrant on the 3rd. It is reported that they discussed the arrest pathway with the police that day for this purpose.